Card index



B. G. RAND CARD INDEX sept. 3, 1929v Filed May 16. 1924 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN G. RAND, OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO REMINGTON RAND ING., 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

GARD INDEX.

Application filed May 16, 1924. Serial No. 713,762.

This invention relates to an index which consists of a series of overlapping cards or sheets having their upper ends exposed to receive index matter, and which is especially desirable as a hotel or telephone register, but may also be employed for various other uses where it is necessary to insert and remove cards from time to time. Y

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved index of this character in which the cards or sheets are so constructed as to be self-adjustable and so held that the exposed ends or margins of the cards are uniformly spaced to be visible at all times.

Another object is to provide a simple and convenient index of this character in which the cards are constructed to interlock with one another in such a way that the meeting edges of adjoining cards will positively clear each other in the act of assembling the cards in the index-supporting frame or panel.

A further object of the invention is to provide the index cards with improved means for guiding and retaining them on the index-panel.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional face view of an index-panel showing some of the cards therein. Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 2 2, Fig. 1, and also showing the manner of inserting a card in the panel. Figure 3 is a perspective front view of one of the cards. Figure 4 is a transverse section, similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of the invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the cards of the modification. Fig. 6 is a plan, fragmentary view of the tongue portion of a card.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The frame or index-panel 10, which is of any well-known construction, may be carried by the customary swinging frame or other appropriate supporting device (not shown). The panel illustrated in the drawings consists of a sheet metal plate having inwardly-turned side flanges 11, forming opposing guides or channels for the indexcards 12.

These cards are arranged in overlapping relation one behind another on the face of the panel in a more or less inclined position, each card having lateral lugs or extensions 13 at thelower ends of its lonitudinal edges which engage under the opposing flanges 11 of the panel, while similar lugs or extensions 14 are provided at the upper ends of the longitudinal edges of the card which overlie or rest upon the top sides of said panelfianges. The width of the cards between their upper and lower extensions is substantially the same as the distance between the opposing longitudinal edges of the flanges 11. By this arrangement of thevcards in the panel, they are reliably held against accidental loss and dislodgment and prevented from shifting laterally of said panel. Furthermore, by having the cards disposed in this inclined position, their upper ends are spaced from the face of the panel, permitting them to be conveniently grasped for insertion and removal.

' For the purpose of uniformly spacing the cards 12 to provide the exposed margins at their upper ends for receiving'the index matter, they are self-adjustabley and constructed to automatically interlock or partially nest one with another during the act of assembling them in the index-panel, the lower edges of the cards abutting against portions formed in the bodies of adjoining cards for gaging the extent of their exposed margins. The preferred construction for accomplishing this result is shown in Figs. 1 3, each card being provided substantially centrally of its body and near the lower end thereof with an upwardly extending flap or tongue l5 formed directly from said body by a slot 16 cut therein. As shown inthe drawing, this slot is angular and the resulting tongue triangular in vshape with its apex pointingupwardly and the lower ends 17 of the slot terminating on a horizontal line above the lower edge of the card. These ends of the slot constitute upwardly-facing stops or shoulders against which the opposing lower edge of an adjoining card is adapted to abut, the lower portion of the latter overlying the tongue of the adjacent superposed card. The base of the tongue where it unites with the card maybe offset to form an upwardlyfacing ledge or shoulder 18 which likewise serves as a stop against which the lower edge of an adjoining card is adapted to abut, as shown in Fig. 2. The location of the stops above the bottom edge of the card determines the extent ofthe exposed margin of an adjoining card.

The integrally-formed tongues 15 of the cards are slightly bent or deflected rearwardly at an angle thereto, so that the same lie substantially flatwise on the index-panel while the card-bodies assume an inclined position, thereby leaving a space between the free ends of the tongues and the card-bodies which facilitates the nesting or assembling of the cards.

In order to prevent the opposing lower and upper edges of the cards and tongues, respectively, from accidentally against one another and interfering with the ready assemblage of the cards in the indexpanel, the card-bodies `are provided with means for guiding or bringing their lower edges over and clear of the plane of the tongues, whereby the cards are caused to positively slide into proper engagement with one another. To this end, each card is provided in its body and below the tongue thereof with an offset distorted or deflected portion 19, which, as shown in Figs. 1 3, is preferably in the form of an embossment protuberance projecting from the rear side of the card-body above its lower edge. This embossment is rounded or convex on its rear side and is free from sharp edges which would interfere with its sliding freely over the edge of the tongue of an adjoining card. The height or depth of the embossment, which engages the bottom of the panel as the card is inserted therein in the manner shown in Fig. 2, is such as to bring that portion of the card-body in the region thereof forwardly of the plane of a companion card-tongue. To further avoid any danger of the meeting edges of the cards abutting against one another, the upper ends of the tongues may terminate in rearwardly offset or deflected portions formed by stamping, embossingor otherwise. These offsets have the eifect of bringing the ends of the tongues in close contact with the bottom of the panel.

Instead of arranging the offset portion 19 of the card-body as shown in Figs. 1 3, it may be arranged as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this case, the oEset portion 21 is in the form of an embossment or protuberance projecting from the front side of the card-body and extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof to a point; below the base of its tongue, said embossment being in line with the pointed end of the latter. Thus, the lower edge of the card-body included within the embossment is raised above the plane of the card-body so as to clear the opposing edge of thev tongue of an adjoining card in the act of assembling the cards in the index-panel.

The individual cards can be readily inserted Vin the panel or removed therefrom by springing them sufficiently to allow their lower extensions 13 to enter or leave the abutting guide flanges 11. In assembling the cards in the panel, it is only necessary to fit them in the panel-guides and force them toward the lower end thereof until vthey are automatically arrested by coming in contact with the stops 17, 18 of the next adjoining card.

This improved index, while simple and inexpensive in construction, is very compact. Furthermore, by constructing the cards as shown, no separate means of any kind are required for properly guiding, spacing` and retaining them in the indexlile and the same can be readily placed in a typewriter for writing the index matter thereon.

Inasmuch as this invention is susceptible of various changes in the design, construction and arrangement of its parts, I do not wish to be limited to the particular adaptation herein shown and described and pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a card index, the combination of a series of overlapping cards arranged one behind the other with their upper edges exposed, each card being provided in its body above the lower edge thereof with an upwardly-extending tongue between which and the body of such card the next succeeding card is adapted to lie, each card also having means for guiding its lower edge over the top edge of the. tongue of an adjoining card when both cards are supported adjacent a flat surface.

2. In a card index, the combination of a series of overlapping cards arranged one behind the other with their upper edges exposed, each card having a slot in its body forming an upstanding tongue and a part on the card below said tongue for guiding the lower edge of the card over the top edge of the tongue of an yadjoining card when both cards are supported adjacent a flat surface.

3. In a card index, the combination of a series of overlapping cards arranged one behind the other with their upper edges exposed, each card having a slot in its body forming a rearwardly deflected upright tongue for receiving between it and the opposing face of its card the lower end of the adjoining card, each card also having an offset portion formed in its body for guiding the lower edge of the card in the region of said offset portion clear of the free edge of the tongue of an adjoining card when both cards are supported adjacent a flat surface.

4. In a card index, the combination of a series of overlapping cards arranged one behind the other with their upper edges exposed, each card having a. slot in its body forming an upstanding tongue, and a permanent, distorted portion thereon below and in substantial alinement with said tongue for bringing the lower edge of the card forwardly of the plane of the tongue of an adjoining card when both cards are supported adjacent a at surface.

5. In a card index, the combination of a series of overlapping cards arranged one behind the other with their upper edges exposed, each card having a slot in its body forming an upstanding tongue, a portion of the card below said tongue and a portion of the upper end of the latter being distorted out of the plane of the card and the tongue, respectively, to bring the lower edge of the card forwardly of the plane of the tongue of an adjoining card when both cards are supported adjacent a flat surface.

6. In a card index, the combination of a series of overlapping cards arranged one behind the other with their upper edges exposed, each card having an angular slot in its body resulting in an upstanding triangular-shaped tongue between which and the body of the card an adjoining card is adapted to lie with its lower edge engaging the bottom edges of said slit, the vertex of the tongue and the body of the card below the tonguehaving alining offset portions thereon for bringing the lower edge of the card forwardly of the plane of the tongue of an adjoining card when both cards are supported adjacent a flat surface.

7 In a card index, a frame comprising a back plate having opposing flanges forming guides, and overlapping cards mounted on said frame with their upper ends exposed, said cards being provided at the upper and lower ends of their longitudinal edges with means engaging said flanges and the guides formed thereby, respectively, each card being provided in its body above the lower edge thereof with an upwardly-extending tongue between which and the body of such card the next succeeding card is adapted to lie, each card also having means adjacent the back of the frame for guiding its lower edge over the top edge of the tongue of an adjoining card.

8. In a card index, a frame comprising a back plate having opposing flanges forming guides, and overlapping cards mounted on said frame with their upper ends exposed, said cards being provided at the upper and lower ends of their longitudinal edges with means engaging said flanges and the guides formed thereby, respectively, each card being provided in its body above the lower edge thereof with an upwardly-extending tongue between which and the body of such card the next succeedinw card is adapted to lie, a portion of the card below said tongue and a portion of the upper end of the latter being distorted out of the plane of the card and the tongue, respectively, to bring the lower edge of the card forwardly of the plane of the tongue of an adjoining card when both are supported adjacent the back of the frame.

9. An index card having its body slotted to form a tongue, the free end of said tongue being distorted out of the plane thereof.

10. An index card having its body slotted to form an outstanding tongue and having a portion of said body between the base of said tongue and the edge of the card distorted out of the plane of the card-body.

11. An index card having its body slotted to form a pointed tongue, a portion of the body between the base of the tongue and the adjacent edge of the card being distorted out .of the. plane of the card-body and the end of said tongue being distorted out of the plane of the tongue.

12. In an index or file, an index card formed with an inwardly directed tongue on one marginal portion, said card having a section removed adjacent said tongue to permit free manipulation thereof, said card having laterally extending lugs at opposite ends of said marginal portion, and laterally extending lugs at opposite ends of the opposite marginal portion.

13. In an index or file, an index card formed with an inwardly directed tongue on one marginal portion, said card having a section removed adjacent said tongue to permit free manipulation thereof, said tongue being offset relative to said card in a plane parallel thereto, said removed section providing shoulders adjacent said tongue forming an abutment for the edge of a nested card, laterally extending lugs at opposite ends of said marginal portion, and laterally extending lugs at the opposite ends of the opposite marginal portion.

14. In an index or file, a plurality of index cards, a supporting member having guide flanges at opposite edges, each of said cards having lugs extending laterally from opposite marginal portions thereof, the lugs on one marginal portion engaging under said guide flanges, the lugs on the opposite marginal portion, engaging over said guide llanges, each card having the first-mentioned marginal portion provided with an inwardly directed tongue, and said card having a section removed contiguous to said tongue to permit free manipulation thereof, an adjacent card nesting between the card and tongue in overlapping interitting relation, whereby each adjacent card has the marginal portion offset by said tongues in said interiitting relation.

BENJAMIN G. RAND. 

